The first products are coming off the new can manufacturing line at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Sidcup.

Last September, CCEP announced a £28m investment to fund a new state-of-the-art high-speed canning line, capable of producing 2,000 cans per minute, elevating the site’s production capabilities and supporting the production of sustainable packaging for CCEP’s well-known brands.

Posting on LinkedIn, Rory Kerr, Operations Director at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Sidcup, said: “This signature investment in 2022 signals a new era in Sidcup and follows CCEP’s pursuit to deliver exceptional performance, agility and technology in a segment that is continuing to grow. 

“Bringing both the versatility and flexibility expected of the latest technological advances, setting a bold new standard in Can Filling and Packaging.

One of Sidcup’s newest faces, Technical Operator, Angela Stathopoulou, was on hand to commence production as she loaded up the program and pushed the button to set the filler spinning for the first commercial release of product. 

She said: “It is a real privilege to be here today to spin the Filler for the first time. I’m extremely proud of the Line 11 Project Team, headed by Michail Skarpathiotakis, who have worked so hard to transform this line in record time amid so many challenges along the way, it is testament to the resilience and fortitude of everyone involved to be at this point of commercial release. 

“Personally, I feel it is an honour to see the first cans come off the line and my only regret is that everyone who works for this incredible brand can’t be here to witness it.”

Michail Skarpathiotakis, Line 11 Project Lead at CCEP, who was looking over Angela’s shoulder to witness the first revolution of the Filler, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the breadth of delivery by the team involved, this has been both challenging and rewarding for all of us, however on days like today it’s about looking ahead and what this now provides for our business. 

“From my project team to the installations engineers, the new Line 11 recruits and all the experts who, at times, hand-craft this beautiful line into position – you have set the standard on what can be delivered from a blueprint.”